Shift Into Top Gear

100 products that will change your life

Oct 26, 2006

Check out the Men's Health Tech Guide -- The 100 Products that with change your life!

100. Motorola KRZR

In some ways, the KRZR--Motorola's newfangled Razr--represents everything that's wrong with technology. Sure, it's a capable cellphone, sporting a 20-megabyte hard drive, MicroSD slot, 2-megapixel camera with 8X digital zoom, and MP3 and video support. But we were expecting so much more from the sophomore sequel to the hottest handheld in the past decade. We can't blame the marketing gurus for preaching evolution over revolution, but this is how it'll go once we slip this hottie into our pocket: We'll have some great conversations, take her to a few nice places, and then start feeling the itch, craning our necks to see what everyone else is doing. We'll see a Samsung at a bar and wonder what it's like. Is it thinner? Is that a Wi-Fi antenna? And soon, we'll just be playing out the string, waiting on the TAZR or whatever else comes next. So, yeah, we're definitely buying one. But consider this our prenup. $200 to $350. motorola.com

99. Crank Brothers Power Pump Ultra

Most pint-size bike pumps have tiny lungs, forcing you to numb your forearms just to fill a tire. This one can blow like hell. Just flip the anodized switch to swap between the high-volume mode--making it easy to fill an empty tube, fast--and the high-pressure mode to top it off, up to 100 psi. $25. www.crank brothers.com

98. Apple Macbook Pro

Laptops are boring, so we'll keep this short. This is the fastest Mac ever (by far). It has a ton of smart features (like a magnetic power cord that snaps free when accidentally yanked). And because it's an Apple, you'll never have to understand how it works. (Brilliant.) $2,000 and up. apple.com

97. Rossignol Radical R11 Mutix

Most skis lock you into one type of suspension: stiff for quick, slalom-style carving; or soft for fast, stable turning. This is the first pair that allows you to tailor your ride to the terrain, thanks to interchangeable suspension arms. Attach the short arms for better performance on moguls, the long arms for more power and stability on long, powdery runs. Just don't think you'll be switching them on the lift--it requires a special wrench and a little patience. $1,300. rossignol.com

96. CamelBak M.U.L.E. SC10

What better way to escape from the bustle of society than to slip away, unnoticed, into a nearby forest, reach the summit of the highest peak . . . and crank up the volume on that scorching speed-metal track that's been tearing up the airwaves? We're not sure serious hikers or bikers will love this speaker-equipped hydration pack, but it's our favorite way to stay amped on the go. Strap-mounted controls allow you to toggle through your playlist and pump up (or dial back) the volume, while a built-in phone adapter and microphone make it that much harder to stay off the grid. Price not set. camelbak.com

We don't want to overstate the tech advance here. We're talking about just a strainer, after all. It makes the same spaghetti as our $1 colander. But when we tried to collapse our $1 colander to fit into a drawer, as this one so graciously does, we ended up with what looked like R2-D2 after a bar fight with a semi truck. Let's just say it's the smartest idea ever, and leave it at that. $60. normann-copenhagen.com

94. Motorola S805 Bluetooth DJ Headphones

We're sick of being tethered to the digital teat. These headphones can channel tunes from any Bluetooth-enabled device, sans cord. Sound quality fell off a cliff, not unlike Axl Rose's career, when we strayed more than 10 feet, but was full-on raging at close quarters. A built-in microphone syncs with your Bluetooth phone when Mom calls. $130. motorola.com

93. Samsung Air Wash

Cramped apartments can't accom­modate multiple appliances. That's why this ingenious multitasker wowed us: In wash mode, it releases silver ions into the tub, which, Samsung promises us, eliminates those nasty postworkout odors that seem to linger for a few wash cycles. In the dry-cleaning mode, it blasts your clothes with scorching hot air to rid them of odors and bacteria. And as a dryer, it dries. (What'd you expect?) At press time, Samsung couldn't tell us exactly when the Air Wash will debut, but the silver-ion techno­logy can be found in the WF316LAW model. Price not set. samsung.com

92. Canon HV10 Camcorder

Canon's still-camera division lends this palm-size, high-definition video recorder--the smallest available--its high-end CMOS image sensor, the same one used in topflight SLR cameras. It's still stuck in the tape era--you record to MiniDV middlemen--but until its hard-drive, high-definition cousins drop in price and size, it's the best all-around camcorder available. $1,300. canon.com

91. Black & Decker Simple Start

Waiting for a jump might be AAA's idea of a good time, but not ours. This 12-volt battery jumpstarts vehicles from the cigarette lighter, particularly convenient in shady neighborhoods or bad weather. It moonlights as a cellphone charger as well. $60. blackanddecker.com

90. Liquidlogic Sojourn 14 Kayak

Here's a sign that a manufacturer is confident about its product: In addition to all the wet-'n'-wild testing of this new touring kayak, Liquid Logic submitted the hull to the good old-fashioned hammer test. That's right: Engineers smacked the crap out of this buoyant bad boy, to no avail. Then they grabbed a bigger hammer. Still solid. So why did it hold up when heavier fiberglass, plastic, or laminate hulls would have shattered? The revolutionary new thermoplastic composite, MFT--developed in conjunction with a textiles manufacturer--is ultradurable, ultraresilient, and less than half the weight of its heaviest competitors. It's the biggest development in water sports in the past 5 years. Price not set. liquidlogickayaks.com

89. TrailFlex TF500 Backpack

At last count, we had approximately 36 backpacks in our closet--some for hydration, some for summer, some for winter, some for long trips, some for short, and one, strangely enough, for carrying other packs. This versatile system stops the insanity with a smart add-on component system. Heading out for 3 hours? Take just the harness--with a built-in hydration bladder--and the waist pack. Heading out for 3 days? Add the main pack and whatever add-on pouches you'll need: MP3 player, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, bottles. It's perfect for the thrice-yearly trekker. Price not set. trailflex.com

88. Kahtoola Flight Snowshoe System

Snowshoe manufacturers boast about the cardiovascular benefits of their rigs, then force you to tramp about in clunky winter boots. Yeah, that's fun. This smart setup lets you choose your own footwear, wrapping your comfy running shoes in an insulating, 3-millimeter layer of neoprene. Once you're bundled in, you can strut about on ice, thanks to built-in cleats, or click elegantly in and out of the larger platform with ease. We'd still rather be boarding, but next time we're out for a snow jog, we'll have one less reason to complain. $335. kahtoola.com

87. King Cobra HS9 Driver

Short of John Daly, this driver has the meanest head in the game of golf. The oversize mug creates an outsize sweet spot, shifting the weight lower and toward the rear and generating more oomph on impact. It turned our lollipop drives into rocket blasts. An added bonus: Unlike one-size-fits-all clubs, the HS9 comes in three models tailored to swing speed, so try before you buy. $480. cobragolf.com

86. Scotty Cameron Detour Putter

One thing crystallized for putting pro Scotty Cameron after he analyzed slow-mo Tiger strokes: We don't swing a putter straight back and forward, like a pendulum. We swing in a slightly curved path--visualize an arc lying on the green in front of you, with your ball at the summit in the middle. This curve is replicated on the body of the putter, encouraging proper form as you swing. $300. scottycameron.com

85. MSR Mutha Hubba Tent

Call us debutantes, but we take this three-person tent on our solo treks. At 6 pounds, 12 ounces, it's a feasible alternative to the flimsy coffins passed off as one-man tents. Color-coded clips and poles make setup easy. $390. msrcorp.com

84. Sony Mylo

Congratulations, Sony, you've just produced every congressional page's worst fear: the Mylo. A Wi-Fi demon, the Mylo keeps you in contact with cronies, bosses, and minions alike via IM (the Google and Yahoo varieties for now, at least), e-mail, and Skype calls. Because Wi-Fi is more scattered than Ozzy's frontal lobe, they'll toss in a year of T-Mobile HotSpot coverage. Still find yourself out of range? Watch movies, listen to music, and play games on its 2.4-inch LCD screen. $350. sony.com

83. Sennheiser MX 75 Sport

Other workout headsets have more falling outs than Noel and Liam Gallagher. This one stays snug, whether you're pumping iron or Iron Maiden. Twist the earpieces clockwise as you put them in, and the pads in the frame act as stoppers inside the ears. It's not as painful as it sounds. They're durable and sweat-resistant, too. If you're looking for audiophile-pleasing sound reproduction, you can do better (see #75). But for biking, running, and the gym, the MX 75's are perfect. $50. sennheiser.com

82. Samsung YP-K5

This 4-gigabyte sound machine makes portable MP3 speakers obsolete: The back panel slides up, revealing two integrated speakers that sound pretty good. It's a very capable MP3 player as well, with a 1.7-inch color display, a touchscreen, an FM tuner, and 30 hours of battery life (only 6 if you're using the speaker). It can hold thousands of images, too. If you haven't pledged your heart to the iPod yet, and you've got an office with a door, the YP-K5 should be on your list. $260. samsung.com

81. Leatherman k503x

Most multitools are as streamlined as a Mack truck. This 41/2-inch-long, 7-ounce pocket toolbox is as sporty as it is utilitarian. Instead of trying to squeeze in three different screwdrivers, the body holds six interchangeable bits--Phillips, flathead, and Torx. But by far the smartest feature: a carabiner that doubles as a bottle opener. $90. leatherman.com

80. Philips HTS9800W Home Theater in a Box

It'll be another year before high-definition video shows up in home-theater-in-a-box systems. Here's a reason not to wait. This sleek setup features a wall-mountable deck, touchscreen controls, and wireless rear speakers. If the six surround-sound screamers and 150-watt subwoofer don't move you, the DVD player will. It impressively up-converts all video to 1080i, or faux high-def. $900. philips.com

79. Nordica Gran Sport 14 Ski Boot

Front-loading boots are sturdy; rear-entry boots are easier to put on. For years, only beginners benefited from the comfort factor, but here's the first backdoor beauty tight enough to stay secure in the bumps. The boot boasts a four-buckle design--two over the foot, two over the shins--for a snug-as-a-sock fit. An additional hinge near the ankle flexes with your foot, improving energy transfer and adding strength to the outer shell. $480. nordica.com

78. Nike CCI Irons

Better sticks mean better shots. Nike's newest irons give golfers more feel, for high-precision hits. A tungsten plug in the clubhead drops the center of gravity and reduces vibration, resulting in a higher trajectory and a softer touch. They're meant for intermediate and advanced linksmen, who know how to use English to subtly control the ball and lower their scores. Beginners won't benefit, and will have to continue hating the game. $800 to $900. nikegolf.com

77. Victorinox Tourbach Cabin Duffel Bag

When Victorinox told us the fabric that makes up this bag is altered on a molecular level to repel nearly every stain-causing liquid and solid known to man, we took it as a challenge. In the kitchen, we poured on some coffee. Check. Outside, we rubbed in a little dirt. Check. In the bathroom, we, well, decided we should take their word for it. The Schoeller fabric, which wowed us on adventure pants last year, is water-resistant, too, making it perfect for the gym. $350. swissarmy.com

76. Eva Solo Tea Maker

Tea is a difficult mistress to please. Leaves without tannins are okay to drink--they're loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants. But tannin-laden leaves must steep in solitary confinement to prevent bitterness. The Eva Solo features an innovative filter mechanism that lets you brew either way. It also comes with an insulating cover that the company calls a "teashirt." That's so cute we just want to hug it. $100. evasolo.com

75. Bose Quiet Comfort 3 Acoustic Noise-Canceling Headphones

Cross-continental jaunts in coach class are an affront to the senses. Strip away the aural din--as this headphone set does so well--and the Hulk inside us forgets about the crying baby in 21C. Size-wise, the previous iteration made us feel like we were working Mission Control, but this svelte version fits on the ear instead of over it, and solves battery burnout with a handy rechargeable lithium-ion cell. If only they could make the in-flight showing of Mission Impossible 3 suck less. $350. bose.com

74. Smith Optics V Ti Sunglasses

Sunglass slippage is a prime beef of sweaty cyclists and runners. This set of shades, designed for Tour de France cyclists, features sweat-activated, hydrophilic nosepieces, giving them unparalleled purchase on your schnozz. What's more, the titanium temples won't bend or sag like plastic does when you approach warp speed or slice through a squadron of thumb-size bumblebees, which makes these the perfect shades for beating glare, on the go. $160; $180 polarized. smithsport.com

73. Krups KB720 Blender

There's one thing we'd really like a blender to do: Shut the hell up. Krups claims this five- speed margarita-and-smoothie machine is the quietest on the market, thanks to an electronic rev control that keeps its 1,100 watts of juice-making brawn at a constant level. Our Cuervo-drenched interns confirmed the deadened decibels and noted that, like tequila, it has a deceptively powerful kick. $150. krups.com

72. Ride Kink

Unlike those overachieving, do-it-all boards that clog the slopes, this snow blade is tailored specifically to handle the wear and tear of rail rides and lip slides, thanks to a highly durable urethane coating on the edges. It's the same stuff they use for skateboard wheels, so it slides smoothly and handles precisely. And with its beefier edge--50 percent thicker than that of most boards--it can sustain a beating like no other board. $340. ridesnowboards.com

71. Pearl Izumi Vertex MP3 Cycling Shorts

Fumbling for a new song in the saddle is as smart as solving a Rubik's Cube while marching into battle. These tricked-out bib shorts might seem like overkill, but the built-in Flash MP3 player and thigh-mounted control strip helped us keep cadence on our weekend ride while shuffling through 16 hours of music. $500. pearlizumi.com

70. H-Racer Toy Hydrogen Car

Now that oil companies, at the insistence of our federal government, are investing every dime of their surplus profits in alternative-fuel research (well, we can dream, can't we?), it's a fine time to give your kids a peek at what they'll be driving­--albeit for only 3 minutes at a time. At 6 1/2 inches long, the H-Racer is roomier than the hybrids of tomorrow, but solar power separates hydrogen from water for fuel, just like the 2018 Toyota Camry. $80. horizonfuel cell.com

69. Chumby

This bizarre clod of circuitry made us appreciate just how little we were getting from our alarm clock. The Wi-Fi– enabled device will wake you up by playing MP3s or showing RSS feeds, photos, or anything that can be pulled from the Web. (Yes, even that.) A 3.5-inch touchscreen makes it a cinch to navigate. Price not set. chumby.com

68. Light My Fire Spork

Version 4.43 of this popular backcountry accoutrement boasts integrated Wi-Fi and a carbon-fiber . . . ah, never mind. The Spork is just a fork, spoon, and knife in one lightweight utensil. So, actually, it's more of a knifoon. It's designed for the campfire but can also brighten a brown-bag lunch. $3. lightmyfireusa.com

67. Suunto t4 Monitor

Most heart-rate monitors are about as trustworthy as Andy Dick in a DEA evidence locker. Want a real gauge of whether your workout is working out? Strap on this ticker tracker. The watch, which can pair with a GPS unit or footpod for an added layer of data, boosts your burn analysis by measuring whether you're taxing your heart and lungs enough to actually improve your cardiovascular fitness. A quick glance at the watch face gives you instant feedback on a scale of 1 to 5; 3 or below means you're just burning calories, 4 means you're improving your fitness, and 5 means you might be overdoing it. What's more, a built-in "coach" feature even schedules your next five workouts, helping you improve, not just observe, your training. $220. suunto.com

66. Lego Mindstorms NXT

In the future, robots will rule the world. This Mindstorms set suggests that the revolution will look more like Short Circuit than The Terminator. You build the Lego-bot around a 32-bit microprocessor, then program tasks via computer using the included software. Commands are based on sensors dedicated to the robot's ability to touch, hear, and see. Because it's Bluetooth-capable, the 'bot can even interact with your cellphone--to snap a picture, say. Our robot's first mission: Locate Edward Furlong. $250. mindstorms.lego.com

65. Easton Stealth Comp CNT Baseball and Softball Bat

Witness the world's first carbon nanotube all-composite bat, fancy NASA-speak for "fully capable of beaning the third baseman." The carbon-composite material is 16 times stronger than steel, aligned so as to widen the sweet spot across the entire barrel. The handle flexes slightly, catapulting the ball on contact. Somehow, it's completely legal. $350. easton.com

64. Shimano SH-M300 Mountain-Bike Shoes

Hot-form technology has finally worked its way from ski-boot liners to simpler footwear, debuting in this, the first-ever custom-molded mountain-bike shoe. When it hits shelves in the spring, you'll simply slip your foot into the heated shoe and stand by as a sales rep vacuums out any air, sucking the thermoform upper and insole against your foot. When you're cranking up an incline littered with toaster-size boulders, you'll appreciate the snug fit. $300. shimano.com

63. Selle SMP Strike Composit Saddle

Most bike seats treat your scrotum like Gallagher treats melons. A 2-inch channel carved in the center of the Strike is more like a first-class cabin. Blood flows naturally to the region, while pressure is transferred to the buttocks and pelvic bones. The redistributed weight helps keep the rider low, promoting better pedaling posture. $240. www.sellesmp.com

62. Bang & Olufsen EarSet 2

Most Bluetooth headsets can't discriminate between your yakking and the wind, but the dual microphones on this set enhance clarity in the worst of gales. The omnidirectional microphones are placed 30 mm apart and tweaked to discern syllables from gusts. Sure, it's probably cheaper to pay someone to hold your cell to your ear, but there's no easier way to broadcast your superiority than with this fashion-forward piece of tech jewelry. $350. bang-olufsen.com

61. Philips VOIP841 DECT Skype Phone

The Internet phone service Skype was destined to remain a college-kid phenomenon until this PC-free phone version was announced earlier this year. While there are currently cordless units available, they're still tethered to a running PC, putting a serious kink in their convenience factor. This model can also be hooked up to a traditional phone jack, in case you--like us--aren't totally sold on VoIP yet. Price not set. philips.com

This thing juices at two speeds: fast and furious. A "slower," 6,500 rpm setting slices and dices leafier vegetables, while the 13,000 rpm notch cranked out a glass of apple juice in 5 seconds flat during our tests. Breville claims that the unit's 115 conical knives make it 10 times faster and 30 percent more efficient than traditional juicers; all we know is it's as close as it gets to having Edward Scissorhands squeeze your morning OJ. $400. brevilleusa.com

58. Marker Cosmic NXT Race Goggles

Marker promises that the bulletproof NXT material in this goggle set--developed for the army in the '90s--rivals the clarity of glass. Consider us converted. The material wowed us in Specialized's Arc sunglasses last year, and our extensive summer testing helped these goggles gain a spot on our list over their photochromic, light-adaptive brethren. The clincher wasn't increased clarity, but safety: A clear field of view is nice, and makes for impressive marketing materials, but the value of wearing high-strength NXT can't be oversold. $60. markerusa.com

57. Ryobi P3300 Fan

Finally, a power-tool company gives us a reason to spring for its one-battery-fits-all system. This portable fan, which accepts Ryobi's universal, 18-volt battery pack, turns into a grab-and-go wind tunnel for on-demand cooling, outlets be damned. We'll only use the jigsaw or power drill when the handyman muse strikes, but staying cool will always be a top priority. $25. www.oneplustools.com

56. Nike Amp+

Playlist miscues can ruin a run--Celine Dion will inspire you to run for the hills, but not the finish line. That's the impetus behind this wrist-mounted Bluetooth remote, which lets you browse through songs on your iPod or check your run times without fumbling with the player. It syncs up with the Nike + iPod running system via a Bluetooth wireless connection, displaying information on an illuminated LED readout hidden beneath the matte-finish face of the bracelet. Just stash your iPod in your pocket--no more fiddling with the sweat-slicked dial, no more concrete face- plants or chain-link-fence collisions. $80. nike.com

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55. iRobot Dirt Dog Workshop Robot

Most robotic cleaners have no business in the garage or workshop. The Dirt Dog's pedigree (illegitimate offspring of the Jetsons' Rosie and a late-model Terminator) says it's bred to handle the fallout of any home-improvement kick. The oversize debris bin is 40 percent larger, to hold sawdust, nails, and screws that trip up regular motorized maids. It's best kept in the shop, though: The high-rev motor that feeds on shreds of wood and metal wreaks havoc on carpets and wood floors. (Sorry, Mom.) $130. irobot.com

54. Stanley 20 oz FatMax Xtreme AntiVibe Hammer

Strike a nail off center with a normal hammer and you'll pay the price: vibrations running through the tendons in your arm, wrist, and elbow. Not with this ergonomic nail knocker. Twenty-four torque-stabilizing bars built into the core of the handle dampen shock by 30 percent, claims Stanley. $30. stanleytools.com

53. Black & Decker Alligator Lopper

This wood-eating chain-saw surrogate earned a place in our tool shed for serious pruning and light brush clearing. It can't handle anything wider than 4 inches, but the 6.5-pound chopper sliced through limbs, branches, and picket fences with ease. It has a leg up on chain saws as well: The guard keeps the chain out of reach--not all limbs need trimming. $100. blackanddecker.com

52. Crescent R2 RapidRench

One day you'll have to build something that doesn't come from Ikea, and you'll need real tools. Typical wrench sets can take up an entire tool drawer--forget that. The RapidRench adjusts instantly to 38 socket sizes, from 1/4 to ⅞ inch. Just roll the switch on the back of the head, and the wrench loosens as quickly as it tightens. $25. cooperhandtools.com

51. Kärcher DDC 50 Drill Dust Catcher

Drilling's dusty business. That's why this vacuum-stick device is a must-have for your workshop: The battery-powered unit hangs on the wall, centering the screw and inhaling extracted drywall or sawdust while leaving both hands free for drill operation. Remember, clean work sites make for happy wives. $20. karcher-usa.com

50. iRiver Clix

There's something sadomasochistic about watching full video on a 2.2-inch screen, but the Clix earns its keep with surprise: Listeners adjust the volume and navigate menus by pressing on the edges of the screen instead of fumbling with dwarf-size wheels or buttons. As a 2-gigabyte MP3 player, it's one of the best we've reviewed. $170. iriveramerica.com

49. TYR One-Eighty Max Metallized Goggles

Most swim goggles play tricks on your eyes--a good thing, perhaps, when there's a Speedo-clad Hasselhoff grunting out laps in the lane next to you, but not when you're trying to scope out bona fide competitors in your peripheral vision. This eye-socket rocket is the first to correct for lens distortions with an aspheric lens, borrowing technology from high-end camera lenses and sunglasses to give you a more accurate picture of the YMCA pool's murky depths. $26. tyr.com

48. Spyder Glacial Jacket

A lot of products pump music into the skulls of downhill demons; this ski jacket does it more elegantly than any other. Connect your MP3, and a low-key touch-sensitive pad on the left sleeve lets you adjust volume and change tracks with the swipe of a gloved finger--no fumbling for buttons, no dropped gloves. Taped seams and waterproof zippers keep your MP3 player dry, while a collar microphone loop shepherds wires away from your grille. $550. spyder.com

47. AKU Spider Kevlar GTX Boots

"Versatile" is often code for "horrible at many things." This boot, though, challenges assumptions about the range a technical boot can handle. It's burly enough for ice climbing, with a rigid Kevlar upper, a built-in lip for crampons, and 600 grams of Gore-Tex insulation, for a range down to -15°F. But the lightweight construction leaves some spring in your step for workaday trekking--or finding a frigid, unforgiving waterfall on which to tempt fate. There's no lighter, stronger boot on the mountainside. $355. www.akuus.com

46. Saeco Incanto Sirius Espresso Coffee Machine

Metal coffee grinders can leave your delicate Tanzanian Peaberry roast tasting like the inside of a Folgers can. That's why Saeco armed this espresso factory with ceramic grinders. The inert material is more resistant to wear, and bears little corruptive aftertaste. And if you're fastidious enough about your coffee to notice that kind of subtle taint, you probably won't mind the Venti-size price tag. $1,500. saeco.com

45. Braun 360 Complete Electric Shaver 8995

Most electric shavers overpromise and underdeliver, leaving your mug peppered with forgotten hairs and half-harvested stubble no better than a 5 o'clock shadow. This one actually makes good on the hype, thanks to a "powercomb" feature that brushes flat-lying hairs away from the skin and into the path of its blades. It nabbed our pesky neck scruff that others ignored. $220. braun.com

44. Adidas Polar Fusion System

Some heart-rate monitors feel like pushup bras or restraining devices. This tag-team setup gently gathers pulse and pace information from Adidas gear (cardiosensitive fibers are woven into shirts; sensors are stowed in the Fusion running shoe) and transmits it to the Polar brain mounted on your wrist. The sticker shock sent our vital signs sky-high, but bundling training aids with workout wear is one of the biggest no-brainers we've seen all year. If only it weren't priced for the Six Million Dollar Man. $680. www.adidas-polar.com

43. BlackBerry Pearl

This 'Berry upgrade ditches the staid, racket-shaped trappings of its predecessors for a sleek, Razr-size package that almost--almost--convinced us to ditch our Sidekick. An elegant, milky-white roller ball replaces the standard-issue scroll wheel (hence the name), easing navigation and allowing you to quickly swap between the 1.3-megapixel camera, the blazing-fast EvDO Web browser, and your corporate e-mail. We nearly tossed the thing out the window, though, trying to fight through the non-QWERTY predictive typing, but if a rumored 26-key version makes it stateside, we're prepared to take the plunge. Until then, we'll give it points for style. $200. rim.net

42. Orvis Zero G 107-4 Fly Rod

Fly rods had us yawning until we flung this fish stick. Orvis claims to have incorporated the same thermoplastic-enriched resin used in F-22 fighter engines and Apache helicopter blades, resulting in a pole that's 25 percent stronger, 25 percent thinner, and 40 percent lighter than other rods. Our military clearance might have lapsed, but we know this much: We felt like Peyton Manning threading the needle with this thing. $680. orvis.com

41. Asics GEL-Kinsei Running Shoes

What coddles one man's dogs chafes another's--therein lies the rub of finding the perfect fit in a running shoe. So while we can't guarantee you'll love Asics's most advanced shoe, we can laud the technology that helps it nail the comfort factor for normal and overpronating runners. The gel cushioning around the heel does double duty: It adds structure to the inside of your gait to combat sagging arches, and provides additional cushioning on the outside. It's a simple, high-tech upgrade that avoids the Icarus complex of other showcase shoes--pumps, springs, shocks, and so on. It's about time a high-tech shoe didn't collapse under its own ambition. $165. asicsamerica.com

40. Slingmedia Slingbox Pro

The original Slingbox helped push the "placeshifting" phenomenon into the mainstream, allowing users away from home to access TV programs stored on their DVRs, along with over-the-air and cable broadcasts. This is the first-ever placeshifter with high-definition support, streaming 1080i-resolution content to your laptop or mobile device anywhere within reach of a broadband connection. Sweet. $250. slingmedia.com

39. Scott Spark Limited Mountain Bike

All carbon fiber is not created equal. And this 21.5-pound cross-country rig, the lightest-ever 110 mm full-suspension mountain bike, is proof. The shock and frame weigh in at just 4.3 pounds. Credit a modified carbon recipe--Scott claims it's 20 percent stiffer than other versions--and a special molding process that sculpts the inside of the frame as well as the outside, reducing unnecessary material by 11 percent. $7,800. scottusa.com

38. The North Face Arnuva E50 Trail Running Shoe

When it comes to footwear, we're skeptical of structural gimmicks. But the Boa tightening system on this trail shoe actually works: The dial in back winds up a thin, metal suspension system that runs throughout the body of the shoe, letting you step in, twist tight, and hit the road. It's perfect for on-the-fly adjustments--crank it down when charging up a gully; loosen it during a water break. And the blister-beating heel cup kept us running longer and stronger. $125. thenorthface.com

37. Hobie Mirage Adventure Island Trimaran Kayak

The world's first "sailyak"--that is, a combination 15-foot-tall sailboat and 16-foot-long kayak--wowed us with its versatility. In moderate wind conditions, it cruises along at a speed of 12 knots (that's 13.5 mph, for you land- lubbers). When it's calm, the foot-pedal-operated flipper beneath the hull pulls you back to shore. Rigging is a cinch--you're set to sail in 15 minutes, and the stabilizing booms retract to the side of the boat for easy docking. $3,000. hobiecat.com

36. Brookstone Color-Call Caller ID System

This simple device makes ignoring your least-favorite callers even easier. Simply assign a color to each caller--red for "don't answer," green for "go ahead," and so on--and it'll glow the next time the phone rings. It's a clever idea, but with land-line service on the decline, Bluetooth connectivity for cellphones would have pushed it higher on our list. $50. brookstone.com

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5 instant upgrades for the cubicle-bound masses

35. Logitech MX Revolution

A man's mouse is his broadsword in today's corporate battlefield. That's why we're wielding this newfangled war tool, which lets you toggle between programs or documents with the side-mounted scroll wheel. It's our favorite mouse upgrade since the second button. The top toggle even sports a smart upgrade: When you're in an Excel document and need to whir through large data fields, it spins like a flywheel. When you're just browsing, an intelligent clutch tightens up to allow more-precise browsing. $100. logitech.com

34. PowerSquid Surge 3000

Cramming a half-dozen AC adapters onto a skinny power strip is like crowding the Chicago Bears' defensive line into a Civic: Someone always gets left out. That's why we love the six flexible tendrils on this PowerSquid, which draw power from a base surge protector but leave you with room to accommodate blocky or odd-shaped adapters. $70. powersquid.net

33. Belkin N1 Wireless Router

There's nothing more frustrating than spending 3 days setting up a Wi-Fi connection that fades out just before reaching your computer. This sleek box, our favorite of the new wave of N-series devices, promises to boost wireless range by six times, and sextuple the data-transfer rates of G-series routers by using several pipelines instead of just one. Another smart feature: In place of the cryptic row of blinking status lights you'll find on most routers, the N1's icon-filled diagnostic panel actually tells you what's working and what's not. Novel, we know. $150. belkin.com

32. Logitech Z-10 Interactive Speaker System

Toggling between tunes at the office usually means breaking stride from your spreadsheet and clicking your way over to iTunes. That's complicated, but how else to keep that blistering "November Rain" solo from bleeding into your last-minute conference call? If you're equipped with this set of PC speakers, adjusting the volume and changing tunes is as simple as grazing the touch-sensitive, iTunes-friendly set of controls on the face. The svelte setup is our favorite PC peripheral of the year. Bonus: An auxiliary input allows you to hook in your MP3 player. $150. logitech.com

31. Samsung SyncMaster 931C LCD Monitor

The faster your screen refreshes, the fewer hiccups you'll see in fast-paced action scenes. That's critical for computer gamers who can't tolerate ghosting or afterimages. This 19-inch monitor has a blazing-fast 2-millisecond response time--the quickest ever--as well as a robust color spectrum (it displays 10 percent more of the color gamut than similar monitors), making it ideal for gamers, graphic designers, and anyone else whose primary source of light is the sickly glow of a computer monitor. $310. samsung.com

30. Nike Sphere Macro React Top

Vented workout shirts are not very discriminating: They let in air whether you're pumping out sweat or just warming up. The dynamic sweat-beating technology in this shirt increases air circulation only when you're moist. The laser-cut, scalelike sections of fabric covering key sweat zones open up wider the wetter you get, exposing a thin wicking layer underneath. $65. nike.com

29. Steelcase Think Office Chair

Steelcase teamed up with university researchers to study the human spine, creating a chair that cradles your backbone like no other before it. Our favorite feature: a cantilever mechanism that uses your own body weight to add resistance the farther back you recline. No more backward head-plants in the conference room. Sure, it's expensive, but can you really put a price on your dignity? $700. store.steelcase.com

28. Philips PET320 DVD Player

Finally, a portable DVD player designed for the person who might actually use one: a kid. There's no 16:9 aspect ratio, 7-inch screen, radio, temperature gauge, or alarm clock. But there is a 3.5-inch screen, a tough, compact, easily cradled design, and 2 1/2 hours of peace and quiet for Mom and Dad. $130. philips.com

27. AeroGarden

Long winters shouldn't stifle your supply of fresh produce. This high-tech indoor-gardening system pumps out vegetables at five times the speed of plain old dirt, and no E. coli! It mists exposed roots with a nutrient-rich haze and carefully schedules their light exposure with an overhead LED lamp. Call it hippie hydroponics. But as goofy as an indoor garden seems, it really works. We went from seeds to salad in 2 months with the arugula kit. Tomatoes, chili peppers, and herbs are available as well. $150. www.aerogarden.com

26. Mammut Pulse Barryvox

Most avalanche beacons work by brute force, beaming and receiving electromagnetic signals between the surface and the snow. During multiple burials, however, a "hit" says nothing about the state of a victim. That's what makes the Pulse so revolutionary: A motion-detection system analyzes subtle movements in the survivors' transceiver signals, to detect heartbeat- and respiration-like movements, while charting the location of each on an LCD and prioritizing recovery efforts. With avalanche survival rates falling to 30 percent after 35 minutes, every extra second counts. $400. mammut.com

25. Sirius Stiletto 100

In the tech industry, there's a fine line between fashionably late and passé, and Sirius's first fully portable player straddles it. But it does rise above its XM counterparts in one very cool way: If you're in a Wi-Fi hotspot--that's just about everywhere, now--it'll stream content from the Web for way better reception. Other thoughtful features: an internal hard drive that holds 100 hours of content (including MP3s), and two batteries for 12 to 24 hours of playback. Downside: An internal antenna means you'll need to don a dorky headset antenna if reception fades. $350. sirius.com

24. Katadyn Vario Water Filter

Most backcountry water filters are one of two vari­eties: ceramic or pleated (read: slow or clogged). The Vario is the first to include both filter types. If the water is muddy, you can pump it through the ceramic filter first, keeping the pleated filter from becoming blocked. If the water isn't muddy, use only the pleated filter to churn out 2 liters per minute, straight into your Nalgene. $80. katadyn.com

23. Dash Express In-Car Nav System

Real-time-traffic navigation systems aren't new--one made our list last year--but this one takes the concept to a higher level. It's the first nav system with two-way connectivity, not only using Wi-Fi and cellular networks to pull in traffic and weather conditions, but also communicating with other Dash drivers and adjusting your route accordingly. Of course, the unit won't be truly effective until a bunch of drivers subscribe, but no one's going to subscribe until the unit is more effective. They'll figure it out. Price not set. dash.net

22. Sony HDR-SR1 Camcorder

High-def video fills a PC's hard drive faster than Mel Gibson's foot fills his mouth after a drink. The HDR-SRI is the first camcorder to record HD video to an internal 30-gig hard drive, meaning clips are organized as individual scenes instead of as streaming video. That makes uploading and editing more convenient. $1,500. sonystyle.com

21. Shun Ken Onion Chef's Knife

Any knife can slice and dice. Only this one harnesses ergonomics to help you cut anything as easily as butter. The gently curved blade keeps it rocking; the handle, angled upward 10 degrees, keeps your wrist comfortable. The manufacturer says the steel-alloy blade is made of 16 layers of carbon, chromium, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, silicon, and vanadium. Show-offs. $200. williamssonoma.com

20. Ducati SportClassic 1000

Retro rockets might turn heads on the turnpike, but they'll turn your stomach in the shop, thanks to out-of-production parts and high-priced labor. Not this bike, one of a reborn line of vintage Ducati models fashioned after the café racers of the 1970s. It's made from modern parts--high-tech swing arms; a solid, safe frame; beefy disc brakes--that will keep it rolling into the next century. But the classic styling ensures it won't look like old news when the next big thing rolls up alongside. $11,500. ducati.com

19. Fuego 01 Outdoor Grill

Purists love charcoal. People who'd like to eat any time now, please, like gas. This grill provides the best of both worlds, with a twist. The charcoal burner on the left is perfect for burgers; the infrared burner on the right, which burns as hot as charcoal, is great for everything else, especially crispy-on-the-outside, red-on-the-inside steaks. A real-time thermostat is embedded in both burners, so you won't have to keep probing your Kobe. Swanky, suave, and smart. $3,500. fuegoliving.com

18. SRAM Force DoubleTap Shifter

Traditional bicycle gear shifters have two levers--one for hiking the chain up a gear and another for dropping it down. This streamlined set combines both functions on one svelte, easily accessible carbon-fiber lever. Gear up with a shallow press, gear down with a deeper one in the same direction (hence the DoubleTap moniker). The setup does come with a learning curve, but it worked like a breeze after just 15 minutes. Bonus: It's a third of a pound lighter than competing shifters. $570. sram.com

17. Archos 604 Wi-Fi Media Player

We love the Video iPod, but it has a screen made for audio. The Archos 604 Wi-Fi, on the other hand, features an eminently watchable 4.3-inch display. It also bests the iPod's 320x240 resolution with a crisp 480x272 touchscreen. Wireless connectivity is icing on the cake--not so much for swapping video files (we can think of better ways to kill 3 hours), but for Web browsing on the go. $450. archos.com

16. Nokia N95

We'd lampoon this Frankenphone--it features a 5-megapixel camera, a GPS receiver, a Wi-Fi modem, and 160 megabytes of memory--if it weren't so well thought out. Instead of crashing together all the competing functions onto one confusing menu, Nokia developed a dual-direction slider that opens vertically to reveal the phone's keypad, and horizontally to reveal the music- and video-player buttons. It's not cheap, but Nokia's policy of selling unlocked phones should allow you to use it with any GSM-band carrier you want. And what price is freedom, really? $700. nokia.com

15. Kawasaki Ultra 250X Jet Ski

This Jet Ski is so powerful it comes with two keys: a wimpy one that curtails its considerable throttle and thrust, and one--marked by a testicle-shaped key-chain fob--that unleashes the 250-horsepower, 1,498 cc, super-charged engine. Kawasaki even made a special hull to accommodate their fastest-ever power plant. The thing ought to come with a new pair of underwear. $11,500. kawasaki.com

14. Firewire Surfboard

Surfboards have been made with a central "stringer"--a reinforcing beam of wood--since 1958. This board changes everything. By replacing the stringer with parabolic balsa rails, Firewire claims to have created a board with greater flex and, as a result, better energy transfer for more reactive turning. It's made of epoxy instead of polyurethane as well, so it's 20 percent lighter and 10 times more durable. $750. firewiresurfboards.com

13. Pioneer MT-01 Power Line Sound System

We fell in love with Sonos's wireless music system last year. But once we shacked up, things became too complicated--first there was the configuration nightmare, then it was the computer butting in. We wanted a simpler way to shuffle tunes from room to room. Enter this plug-and-play solution, which channels content over a household power grid to satellite speakers throughout the house. We just loaded up a song, plugged in the speakers, and pumped up the volume. One cord, no setup, instant satisfaction. Price not set. pioneerelectronics.com

12. Sony PlayStation 3

We'll let you decide if the 60-gig hard drive, Blu-ray DVD player, built-in Wi-Fi, and much-ballyhooed cell processor chip are really worth the price premium. But know this: Gran Turismo will never feel so real; Madden will never look so rotund. The PS3 is designed to blow you away, and it won't disappoint.$600. playstation.com

11. Nintendo Wii Gaming System

While Xbox and PlayStation have been waging war over megabytes and microchips, Nintendo's been quietly focusing on what matters most to many gamers: interactivity. The Wii's controller impressively channels your movements--a tennis stroke, a football pass--into onscreen action. Time will tell whether we'll still be twitching and gyrating in our living rooms 6 months from now--the question remains: So how are the games?--but the price can't be beat. $250. nintendo.com

10. SamsungHL-55679WLED DLP 56-inch Television

A svelte package isn't the only thing that can drop jaws. In fact, in our book, it's what's inside that counts. That's why we love this 56-inch digital light processing (DLP) projection set, which creates light using three color-specific sets of LED lights instead of an incandescent bulb and a spinning color wheel, like other DLP sets. Greater control means fewer artifacts. Sure, it's bulkier than plasma or LCD sets. But it's still the best picture for the money at 56 inches, and it'll tide us over until similar technology works its way into LCD sets next year. $4,000. samsung.com

9. iPod Shuffle

If you're looking for an MP3 with bells and whistles, report directly to our number one pick. If you want the best damn MP3 player for the money, and nothing else, your shopping is done. The 1-gigabyte Shuffle is simple, untainted digital-audio bliss--and so tiny we had to show it at more than twice its actual size. And how smart is Steve Jobs? The headphone port also acts as a USB connector and an AC input. $80. apple.com

8. Völkl DNX1 Power Arm Tennis Racket

Most racket advances are gimmicks. We give Völkl credit for actually raising our game--no small feat. This ball-shredding howitzer is the first to use DNX, a material that's 25 times stronger than conventional carbon fiber. Its added rigidity, combined with the Power Arm--the T in the middle that moves independently of the frame--makes this racket more forgiving than your average priest. We immediately noticed a spike in our ability to hit playable volleys from deep in the backcourt. $220. volkl.com

7. Leica M8 Digital Camera

Few digital cameras are truly future-proof, but this one's an instant classic. With Leica's first digital range finder, the M8 grafts a 10.3-megapixel sensor and 2.5-inch LCD onto its iconic chassis, allowing it to accept nearly every Leica lens made since 1954. The stripped-down construction and fast-and-light operation (the film version was favored by war photographers) make it easier to operate and less breakdown-prone than the typical SLR. Simply put, it's one of the most elegant cameras we've used: perfect candid photos, street scenes, and rapid series of shots. $5,300. leica camera.com

6. Orbea Orca Bicycle Frame

Frame size is only half the bike-fit equation. Most manufacturers use the same tubes for their smallest to largest frames, adding unnecessary strength and poundage to your ride. Not Orbea. Each of the five Orca frames is forged from size-specific, high-strength carbon-fiber tubing, hitting the sweet spot between stiffness and weight, no matter what the bike's dimensions. There's no better feel on the road. $2,500 (frame only). orbea-usa.com

5. Dyson Root 6

Most handheld vac­­uums slack off when it comes to sucking up serious spills or grime. If low-powered suction doesn't hamstring them from the start, their filters often clog with debris, rendering them impotent. No wonder guys hate vacuuming. But again this year, Dyson raises the bar on the whole house-husband thing. The Root 6 will never clog or lose suction, no matter how large the particles. Plus, it looks friggin' cool, and you can use it in your car. And that's manly, you know. $150. dyson.com

4. T-Mobile Dash

Most smartphones are so capable, they're a pain to use. The Dash takes care of business without feeling like a brick. The keyboard, which manages to be both smaller and better than those on competing phones, is impressively intuitive--it deftly delivers punctuation or symbols when you hold the key longer, instead of having to peck at an extra ALT or SHIFT toggle. And unlike its major rival, the Motorola Q, the Dash packs integrated wireless connectivity, making it a better choice for workaholics. $350. t-mobile.com

3. BMW R 1200 R

Bike safety shouldn't be a buzz kill, and this roadster's safety features won't slow you down. When the rear wheel slips during acceleration or on a rain-slicked or gravel-strewn turn, the automatic stability-control system--a first on a production motorcycle--modulates the brakes and crimps fuel flow to the injectors, helping right the bike when others would be sent skittering across the macadam. Add antilock brakes and on-the-fly suspension adjustments, and there's no better-designed way to cheat death. $13,000. bmwmotorcycles.com

BMW's stability-control system kicks in when the back tire kicks out, taking control from the driver to ensure that the bike stays upright.

2. Sony DSC-T50 Digital Camera

The megapixel race is over. Hooray! Now maybe we'll get features that actually matter, like the 3-inch LCD touchscreen on this feature-infested compact. No more pressing buttons ad infinitum: What you touch is what you get. The 7.2-megapixel sensor is plenty, though we would have liked a 10X optical zoom instead of 3X. Still, digital photography is easy and enjoyable again. Thanks, Sony. $500. sonystyle.com

1. Microsoft Zune MP3 Player

Most iPod killers have come and gone--many were from small manufacturers without the tech know-how or marketing muscle to make things interesting. But the 30-gigabyte Zune packs a silver bullet: social networking. Built-in wire-less connectivity allows users to trade songs and play them--free--three times over 3 days. Buy the ones you like, forget about the ones you don't. You can also trade pictures and video. Pretty cool. With enough capacity for 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, and 100 hours of video--and with Apple's stranglehold on music distribution slipping--the Zune is the real deal. It goes on sale November 14. Expect a better iPod on November 15. $250. zune.com

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